Pictures: Fascinating insight into eel project on River Nore, and threats they face

Over the past three years, Nore Vision and volunteers have been working with Dr Rob Cruikshanks, an eel scientist with Inland Fisheries Ireland, on a citizen science eel monitoring project on the Nore between Thomastown and Inistioge.

Each Heritage Week, Dr Cruikshanks captivates people with the amazing life cycle of the European Eel and the various threats to their populations. This year, the event was also attended by members of the barriers (to fish migration) team who chatted about all sorts of barrier — weirs, culverts, the impact on the natural processes of the river and migrating fish.

They also explained the impact climate change and recent erratic weather patterns are having on fish stocks. The team are working towards the removal of barriers throughout the country.

It was a hugely informative chat about the work of Inland Fisheries Ireland. The chat continued over coffee and sandwiches at the Blackberry Café in lovely sunshine. The event was sponsored by the Local Authority Waters Programme.